2019-20 UEFA Competitions Thread

[Brahvocado]

Re: 2019-20 UEFA Competitions Thread

Ahahaha. “The best team lost” only the hottest of hot takes from Maguire.

[Suntan Superman]

Re: 2019-20 UEFA Competitions Thread

Ahahaha. “The best team lost” only the hottest of hot takes from Maguire.

man, i am ambivalent towards Sevilla, but hot damn do I love how much this loss seems to have killed Man Utd.

[KG]

Re: 2019-20 UEFA Competitions Thread

Why the hell did Lindelof just leave that cross for De Jong? It looked like someone made a shout because he pulled back but man, he was pissed at Bruno for something.

I didn’t think that was a penalty on Rashford. He got the shot off, it was saved and then they blow the whistle????


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[Brahvocado]

Re: 2019-20 UEFA Competitions Thread

Actually think AWB and Williams were more at fault than Lindelof there.

On the penalty though idk. It has always bothered me when defenders just hammer an attacker after they get the shot off and nothing happens. It also bothers me knowing that almost any other team isn’t getting that call.

[Keirik]

Re: 2019-20 UEFA Competitions Thread

Why the hell did Lindelof just leave that cross for De Jong? It looked like someone made a shout because he pulled back but man, he was pissed at Bruno for something.

I didn’t think that was a penalty on Rashford. He got the shot off, it was saved and then they blow the whistle????


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I really wish someone wound explain to me how the hell Lindelof starts for a club as big as Manchester United. I've never ever in my life seen such poor positioning, decisions or lack there of, and poor communication. He literary makes school boy errors.

[Keirik]

Re: 2019-20 UEFA Competitions Thread

Actually think AWB and Williams were more at fault than Lindelof there.

On the penalty though idk. It has always bothered me when defenders just hammer an attacker after they get the shot off and nothing happens. It also bothers me knowing that almost any other team isn’t getting that call.

No way. Lindleof was the guy in position to make that play and pulls back. He does it constantly. Every defender is told to attack the ball unless called off by keeper which he wasn’t. He is a clown. I have no idea how he played for+United at all. It’s asinine.

[Krebstar]

Re: 2019-20 UEFA Competitions Thread

I really wish someone wound explain to me how the hell Lindelof starts for a club as big as Manchester United. I've never ever in my life seen such poor positioning, decisions or lack there of, and poor communication. He literary makes school boy errors.

Is he decent with his feet? Or supposed to be? I honestly don't know, I'm asking.

For years there has just seemed to be a list of defenders who start at large clubs who make ridiculous errors, and should not be given the opportunities they're being given. I've always attributed some of it to the fact that they're better in some areas (ball handling) than others (defending) so they get a pass, or are more sought after.

There are several defenders at smaller clubs who would perform fairly well at large clubs, as defenders. It seems they're not always going to get those chances, though, as they also do not possess the ability to play defense splitting through balls, or dribble around a press.

Maybe he's one of those guys. He plays as a defender, but he's not really a defender, or what should be expected of them first.

I have some experience in watching this (Mustafi), so it came to mind.

[KG]

Re: 2019-20 UEFA Competitions Thread

He reminds me a lot of Christensen from Chelsea. Thought both had turned the corner under previous managers (AC-Conte & Lindelof - Mourinho) but they both are so inconsistent.


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[Suntan Superman]

Re: 2019-20 UEFA Competitions Thread

He reminds me a lot of Christensen from Chelsea. Thought both had turned the corner under previous managers (AC-Conte & Lindelof - Mourinho) but they both are so inconsistent.

That's mostly what it's about too, I think both Christensen and Lindelof can be great defenders, but they require a rigid defensive structure, because their natural instinct isn't quite at the level it needs to be to play in a free-flowing system. When they could always safely look to the left or right and know who was supposed to be there it made it more comfortable for them to do what they needed to do, as soon as you make them cover for an out of position full back or make them choose who to defend in a 2-on-1 situation with no known help, they struggle.

[Krebstar]

Re: 2019-20 UEFA Competitions Thread

When they could always safely look to the left or right and know who was supposed to be there it made it more comfortable for them to do what they needed to do, as soon as you make them cover for an out of position full back or make them choose who to defend in a 2-on-1 situation with no known help, they struggle.

To be fair, nearly all but elite central defenders are going to struggle in that position. Not to use an Arsenal reference again, but Squillaci comes to mind. Years after he left Arsenal he spoke about how incredibly difficult it was to be a defender in that squad, as you were never protected, and always expected to essentially defend by yourself with your partner, and keeper.

He was a capable defender when he came to the club, but often looked a mess as he was asked to do far too much, and left entirely isolated with his partner at the back.

I feel like this has been happening for years, but even more widespread across different leagues. Central defenders are expected to mop up whatever mistakes occur in front of them, as opposed to being the central unit in a defensive system (that system being most of the team without possession, not just those listed as defenders). Individual players often get blamed, when in reality, they're being given a nearly impossible task due to the the entirety of the team focusing on the other two-thirds of the pitch.

I know that's really simplifying it in a way, it just seems there are two types of defenders who struggle and stick out in the modern game. Those who are competent, but are being abandoned at the back, and those are are truly error prone who can not be relied upon to make decisions.

[Suntan Superman]

Re: 2019-20 UEFA Competitions Thread

To be fair, nearly all but elite central defenders are going to struggle in that position.

I agree wholeheartedly, but I also think, at least in the case of Lindelof, when you pay 35m for a defender, you're generally expected to be elite, or, at the very least, at the precipice of elite. Lindelof doesn't go far above "serviceable" it seems. I also don't think Maguire being... not good.. helps Lindelof either.

[~LiverpoolRed~]

Re: 2019-20 UEFA Competitions Thread

Really like the look of the young Brazilian MF for Shakhtar, Marcos Antonio. Very composed on the ball for a 20 year old.

[jb12780]

Re: 2019-20 UEFA Competitions Thread

Inter are up 3-0, but have committed 18 fouls compared to Shaktars 3. ****housery in style.


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[~LiverpoolRed~]

Re: 2019-20 UEFA Competitions Thread

Lukaku again.

[Keirik]

Re: 2019-20 UEFA Competitions Thread

Is he decent with his feet? Or supposed to be? I honestly don't know, I'm asking.

For years there has just seemed to be a list of defenders who start at large clubs who make ridiculous errors, and should not be given the opportunities they're being given. I've always attributed some of it to the fact that they're better in some areas (ball handling) than others (defending) so they get a pass, or are more sought after.

There are several defenders at smaller clubs who would perform fairly well at large clubs, as defenders. It seems they're not always going to get those chances, though, as they also do not possess the ability to play defense splitting through balls, or dribble around a press.

Maybe he's one of those guys. He plays as a defender, but he's not really a defender, or what should be expected of them first.

I have some experience in watching this (Mustafi), so it came to mind.

His biggest attribute was supposed to be tactical and cool under pressure. Think he was nicknamed “iceman” and supposed to be good playing the ball from the back, so yeah strength and in the air aren’t his strong points. However, some of the mistakes he makes aren’t due to any limitations besides what’s between his ears. Soccer 101, attack the ball until you hear otherwise. Yesterday’s winner was an utter embarrassment. I’ve never seen anyone other than him ever do that and it’s multiple times. It’s not that he lost his man or wasn’t set. It’s that he INTENTIONALLY let the ball go through. Who does that in the 83rd or so minute of a 1-1 draw feet from your own goal?